Say hello to Markelle, an Account Executive on our Local Sales team! Markelle is based in California and joined the team in October 2024. Prior to coming to Yelp, Markelle had minimal sales experience; however, after going through the comprehensive sales training provided to AEs during their first few weeks at Yelp, he was able to quickly apply these new skills and was promoted after only three months in the role.

Q: Tell us about your role at Yelp. A: I’m an Account Executive at Yelp, responsible for helping local business owners grow by connecting them with Yelp’s advertising solutions. My role focuses on uncovering opportunities, demonstrating real data on customer searches, and closing deals that help businesses stand out and drive more leads. As a team, we’re responsible for driving revenue growth, maintaining high activity levels, and creating success stories across our territories. My path hasn’t been a straight line to success at Yelp, but with dedication, determination, and the invaluable support from my managers along the way, every part of the journey has been worth it!

Q: What does a typical day look like in your role? A: A typical day starts with strategy—reviewing my territory, setting revenue goals, and prepping my sales approach. From there, it’s high-energy outreach with 80+ calls a day, using strategic sales techniques to guide conversations toward action. I focus on connecting with business owners, identifying where they’re missing opportunities, and helping them take steps to capture those leads. Between calls, I track results, share wins with my team, and refine my approach so I’m always improving.

Q: What motivates you every day? A: I’m motivated by two things: helping small business owners win and constantly raising my own bar. Every call is a genuine opportunity to make a difference. I love sharing insights with business owners, uncovering areas where they might be missing out, and providing them with the tools to grow and thrive in a competitive market. Supporting small businesses means helping someone realize their dream, and seeing their progress is incredibly rewarding. The competitive yet collaborative energy of our team keeps me hungry to perform at a high level every day. Most importantly, I stay driven by remembering my “why”—something our manager always emphasizes. For me, my why is my mother; she inspires me to work hard, stay focused, and never settle.

Q: Tell us about a time when you overcame a challenge in your role and what you learned from the experience. A: I once worked with a carpet cleaning business owner who was frustrated because he felt Yelp hadn’t worked for him in the past. Instead of backing off, I leaned in and asked questions to really understand his concerns. I pivoted by pulling up live data showing how many people were actually searching for his specific service in his area—something he hadn’t seen before. Then, I walked him through how we could optimize his Yelp page to drive more calls directly to his business, rather than just generating messages, which had been a sticking point for him. We collaborated on updating his profile, adding key details, and adjusting his call-to-action. He agreed to try the changes for the weekend. By Monday, he shared that he’d received several quality calls, and that initial test turned into a successful long-term Yelp campaign.

That moment taught me that objections are often opportunities in disguise. If I stay calm, listen closely, and focus on reframing the value in a way that aligns with the business owner’s true goals, I can turn hesitation into genuine results for both the client and Yelp.

Want to work with Markelle?

With the help of our comprehensive training program, ongoing support, coaching, and development opportunities, you can take your career to the next level at Yelp, whether you’re a seasoned sales professional or just starting out in the industry. Learn more about what you can expect when meeting our Sales Recruiting teams so that you can prepare and feel confident to bring your best authentic self to each interview. Check out our open opportunities and apply today!